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Article #228: Are You Prepared For A Water Supply Disruption?

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"City ravaged by chain Store a 3-5 day supply of water (a
explosions...chemical company razed...oil minimum of at least 5 gallons for each
refineries explode and burn...utilities person).
disrupted...water supply condemned after A clean water supply is also essential
a fire broke out on a freighter in port." for fighting disease and medical
"Power outage sparks one of the worst emergencies. For example, any loss of
water crises in the city's history as all blood increases our water intake
four water pumps go down at once." requirements substantially.
"Seven people dead and 2,300 ill after Bottled water is helpful and easy, but it
one of the town's wells becomes may not always be available. For example,
contaminated with E. Coli." if both the water infrastructure and
These headlines are not the result of transportation system are unusable,
terrorist activities. Accidents, lack of deliveries of bottled water and other
training and expertise and equipment supplies might be difficult if not
failure brought about these disasters, impossible. What would you do when your
which highlight the vulnerability of our bottled water supply ran out? What if the
water systems. If these types of local stores ran out or the supply was
incidents were purposely carried out by contaminated? This kind of scenario could
terrorists, the loss and destruction easily happen in a major hurricane,
could be far worse. Our nation's water earthquake or terrorist attack. There are
systems can be disrupted and are several things that you can do to prepare
potential targets for terrorism. for this eventuality.
J. Edgar Hoover, in 1941, warned that our First, become knowledgeable and file the
water systems were potentially vulnerable necessary information where it will be
targets. Because they are critical to our readily available in an emergency, such
way of life and the economic viability of as in your emergency kit. There are
our country, Presidential Directive 63 plenty of resources available to help you
(May 1998) identified our nation's water prepare.
systems as one of the eight critical To start, check the Department of
infrastructures subject to attack by Homeland Security, FEMA and CDC websites
terrorists. for emergency preparation information.
Reducing Our Vulnerability Second, in addition to the recommended
Much has been done to improve security three day supply of food and water,
and reduce our vulnerability since the 9 consider storing additional water in
11 terrorist attacks in the United larger storage tanks or drums in the
States. We have struck back at terrorism garage, basement or storage shed. Plastic
militarily. Congress has passed several water storage tanks and drums, which are
landmark pieces of legislation. The generally recommended, are relatively
Department of Homeland Security was inexpensive. An additional 200 gallons of
established. Industries, businesses and water storage would extend your water
critical sections of the infrastructure, supply to 200 days for one person or 50
including water suppliers, have done days for a family of four. Make sure to
vulnerability studies and continue to also have an emergency kit in your car as
implement strategies to reduce their you might not be at home when an
vulnerability. emergency situation occurs.
Impacts of Hurricane Katrina Third, be sure to include some simple
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 are a water disinfectant tools available so
perfect example of a major water and that you can make use of any available
wastewater system disruption. Thousands raw water supplies. One such disinfectant
of people were directly impacted for is common, unscented, liquid, household
months and many still have not returned bleach.
to the affected areas. Several simple techniques for
According to a Congressional Research disinfecting water are listed below.
Service Report for Congress dated October Boiling-Boil vigorously for one minute.
19, 2005, the EPA estimated that more At altitudes above one mile, boil for
than 1,220 drinking water systems and three minutes.
more than 200 wastewater treatment Chlorine Bleach-When boiling is not
facilities in Louisiana, Mississippi and practical, chemical disinfection should
Alabama had been impacted by the be used. The two chemicals commonly used
hurricane. are chlorine and iodine. When the
The same CRS report notes that two weeks available chlorine in the bleach is known
after the hurricane, 30% of the affected use the following ratios:1% - 10 drops
drinking water systems and 40% of the per quart, 4 to 6% - 2 drops per quart, 7
affected wastewater facilities were again to 10% - 1 drop per quart, if unknown use
operational. However, many of the 10 drops per quart. If water is cloudy or
inoperable drinking water and wastewater the water temperature is extremely cold
plants serve the largest number of double, the amount of chlorine.
customers. Tincture of Iodine-Common household
Federal, state and local agencies shipped iodine from the medicine chest or first
in bottled water and bulk water supplies. aid kit may be used to disinfect water.
For instance, one company Add five drops of 2 percent United States
(Anheuser-Busch) donated more than two Pharmacopeia (U.S.P.) Tincture of iodine
million cans of water per week to the to each quart of clear water. For cloudy
Katrina relief efforts in September 2005. water add ten drops and let the solution
Citizen Preparedness stand for at least 30 minutes.
However, since we are still vulnerable, Fourth, there are a variety of small,
how would the citizens of this country portable water decontamination units
react to a prolonged disruption of their specially made for hikers and
water supply? The Hurricane Katrina backpackers. These units are designed to
disaster in New Orleans gives us an idea. take raw water from streams or lakes and
Many area water and wastewater systems make it potable.
were disrupted for days, weeks or months. Having one or two of these units per
Water and food supplies had to be brought family of four is an excellent option.
in for months afterward. Plus, including one of these units in
The Department of Homeland Security your emergency automobile kit is also
(DHS), Federal Emergency Management recommended.
Agency (FEMA) and Centers for Disease Much of what is being done to protect our
Control (CDC) recommend having at least a water supply can only really be effective
three day supply of food and water per if Americans themselves become informed
person to cope with any emergency. The and aware. The American Water Works
minimum drinking water suggested supply Association (AWWA) notes, "In many cities
is 1 gallon per person per day. The US and small towns, the public is the first
Army Survival Manual uses an absolute line of defense, serving as an extra set
minimum of 2 quarts per day per person in of eyes watching over key utility assets
a cold climate and much more in a hot such as tanks, reservoirs and even fire
climate. Activity level also affects your hydrants." This first line of defense
water intake requirement. In addition, also extends to our families and
you also need water for food preparation, communities by being prepared for a water
bathing, brushing teeth and dish washing. system disruption.






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